Personal smoking cessation device with authentication, encryption, and lock

ABSTRACT

A Personal Smoking Cessation (PSC) device, including an e-liquid cartridge, an EEPROM within the e-liquid cartridge, and a host body coupled to the EEPROM. The e-liquid cartridge stores a preselected fluid and a vaporization element to vaporize the preselected fluid. The EEPROM has a universally unique identifier (UUID) stored therein. The EEPROM authenticates a user, the e-liquid cartridge, and the preselected fluid. The EEPROM encrypts and decrypts data. The host body has a female USB-C connector coupled to a first male USB-C connector in the e-liquid cartridge. The male and the female USB-C connectors form positive mechanical and electrical connections between the EEPROM and the host. The host exchanges data with the EEPROM. The host includes an electronic lock. The electronic lock couples to a second female USB-C connector by which the electronic lock reversibly locks the EEPROM. The PSC device includes a Bluetooth radio transceiver coupled to the EEPROM.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present application pertains to portable smoking cessation devices,in general, and to a modular portable smoking cessation device withauthentication, encryption, and lock, in particular.

2. Background Art

Countless smokers have adopted some form of portable smoking cessation(PSC) device to promote cessation of tobacco product smoking. Typically,battery-operated PSC devices include a device body, a battery attachedto the device body, and a reservoir of liquid, often flavored, thatcontains an active ingredient, such as nicotine. The reservoir also canbe called a “pod” or cartridge, and the liquid can be known as“e-liquid” or “juice.” By inhaling through the PSC device, the e-liquidcan be wicked into an electric firing chamber that produces a smoke-likevapor for inhalation. This activity can be called “vaping.”

Certain users of such devices may have no intention of ceasing to usetobacco or nicotine products, and the term “PSC device” as used hereinis broad enough to cover device or components disclosed herein forvaping or inhalation of various chemicals whether or not the userintends to cease his or her behavior in the future.

Although vaping is less hazardous than tobacco smoking, recent eventsindicate that e-liquid material can be inauthentic, and PSC devices ortheir components can be counterfeited or modified, such that some userssuffer pulmonary insults and even death. Furthermore, vaping has becomewidespread among the young, including high school and middle schoolchildren. Indeed, in a press conference on Dec. 18, 2018, the UnitedStates Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams officially declared the use ofe-cigarettes among youth to be an “epidemic.”www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17921-number-of-teens-vaping-hits-record-high-survey-shows(Jan. 10, 2019), accessed Oct. 17, 2019.

It has become a priority to prevent juveniles from purchasing PSCdevices and from using imitation e-liquid materials. There can bedifficulties even for age-appropriate users with current PSC devices.For example, the amount and characteristics of e-liquid used cannot beadequate controlled, if at all. Data pertaining to device and e-liquiduse cannot be accurately tracked and analyzed. Device and e-liquidcounterfeiting is common. The device is unlikely to be intelligent, thatis, it is difficult, if not impossible, to track e-liquid use andcharacteristics, as well as PSC device identification and operationaldata. Moreover, e-liquid leakage is common. Typically, the user needs tomanually adjust various options. Also, vapor and e-liquid informationcannot be collected, so the equipment cannot engage in intelligentanalysis and operation. In addition, the structure of an e-liquidcartridge may allow for occasional e-liquid leakage from time to time.Moreover, the types of vapors and e-liquids can be complex complicated.Currently, e-liquids cannot be traced back to the source, cannot carryout batch management, and cannot provide accurate device and e-liquidusage information, including device statistics.

What is needed is a PSC device that makes difficult counterfeiting andillicit device use and can identify and use authentic e-liquid.

SUMMARY

The invention provides a personal smoking cessation (PSC) device whichmakes difficult counterfeiting and illicit device use, which canidentify and use authentic e-liquid, which can be electronically lockedby touching a contact, and which can provide data and feedback to theuser regarding usage statistics.

The invention also provides a PSC device, including an e-liquidcartridge, an EEPROM disposed within the e-liquid cartridge, and a hostbody communicatingly coupled to the EEPROM. The EEPROM within thee-liquid cartridge communicates with the host body. The EEPROM is a dataencryption EEPROM, in which data to the EEPROM is encrypted, and datafrom the EEPROM is decrypted. The EEPROM is an authenticating EEPROM, inwhich a user is authenticated as an authorized user. In embodiments, theauthenticating EEPROM is a multi-factor authenticating EEPROM, in whichthe user supplies a plurality of authenticating factors so that the useris authenticated as an authorized user. The PSC device includes atouch-sensitive electronic lock. In embodiments, the electronic lock isdisposed within the host body. In embodiments, the electronic lock iscoupled with a female USB connector. The electronic lock can be actuatedby touching the female USB connector. The e-liquid cartridge is coupledto the host body with a first preselected electromechanical connector,which is a USB Type C electromechanical connector mechanically andelectrically coupling the e-liquid cartridge with the host body. Inembodiments, the host body further includes a radio transceiverconfigured to exchange data with a communication device external to thePSC device. In embodiments, the host body is configured to receive arechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, or a rechargeable,replaceable battery.

The invention further provides a Personal Smoking Cessation (PSC)device, which includes an e-liquid cartridge storing a preselected fluidto be vaporized and a vaporization element configured to vaporize thepreselected fluid. Also included is an EEPROM within the e-liquidcartridge, in which the EEPROM has a universally unique identifier(UUID) stored therein, in which the EEPROM facilitates authentication ofa user, the e-liquid cartridge, and the preselected fluid, and in whichthe EEPROM facilitates encryption of received data and decryption oftransmitted data. The device additionally includes a host body with afirst female USB-C electromechanical connector communicatingly coupledto the EEPROM having a first male USB-C electromechanical connector. Thefirst male and a first female USB-C electromechanical connectors formpositive mechanical and electrical connections between the EEPROM andthe host body. The host body exchanges data with the EEPROM. The hostbody includes an electronic lock. In embodiments, the electronic lockreversibly locks the EEPROM, and the electronic lock is operably coupledto a second female USB-C electromechnical connector. In embodiments, thePSC device further includes a Bluetooth radio transceiver coupled to theEEPROM, in which the Bluetooth radio transceiver communicates databetween the PSC device and a second Bluetooth transceiver disposed in anexternal communication device.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be furtherunderstood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference tothe following written specifications, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the FIGURES, which are not drawn to scale, like numerals refer tolike features throughout the description. The following description isnot to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for describingthe general principles of the invention. Preferred embodiments of theinvention will now be described, by way of example, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal smoking cessation (PSC)device, in accordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the PSC device, in accordance withteachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an e-liquid cartridge of the PSC device ofFIG. 2 , in accordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the PSC device assembly of FIG. 1 , inaccordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the PSC device assembly of FIG. 1 with PSCbody viewed from above, in accordance with teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the PSC device of FIG. 1showing enlarged section, in accordance with teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial assembly of the body of the PSC device of FIG. 1 ,in accordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of the PSC device of FIG. 1 , in accordancewith teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a cutaway obverse view of air flow in a PSC device, inaccordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 9A, in accordance withteachings of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of the reverse side of a PSC device, inaccordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a PSC device in communication with amobile device, in accordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a bottom transverse view of a PSC device body including USB-Cconnector, in accordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-section of a PSC device, in accordancewith teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front cutaway view of an e-liquid cartridge, in accordancewith teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of several circuits of a PSC device, inaccordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 16A is a pinout illustration of a USB-C 24-pin connector, inaccordance with teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 16B is a pinout illustration of a serial EEPROM, in accordance withteachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a pinout schematic of a Bluetooth® Low Energy System on aChip (BLE-SOC), in accordance with teachings of the present invention.

Some embodiments are described in detail with reference to the relateddrawings. Additional embodiments, features, and/or advantages willbecome apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned bypracticing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present embodiments provide a personal smoking cessation (PSC)device that employs authentication, encryption, or locking, or acombination, to make difficult counterfeiting and illicit use, and whichcan be finely controlled as to its operational behavior, and which canprovide helpful usage statistics. At present, there is no e-liquidcartridge having built-in encryption or authentication device elements.The present invention can provide a meaningful solution to thecounterfeit problem, and which can be controlled as to its operationalbehavior, and which can provide helpful usage statistics.

As used herein, identification is the claiming of an identity, whereasauthentication is the act of verifying or proving the claimed identity.In authorization, a system entity or actor has been granted the right,permission, or capability to access a system resource. Encryption is thecryptographic transformation of data (called “plaintext”) into a form(called “ciphertext”) that conceals the data's original meaning toprevent it from being known or used. If the transformation isreversible, the corresponding reversal process is called “decryption,”which is a transformation that restores encrypted data to its originalstate.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of PSC device 100 is shown, havingmouth cover 110 and host body 120 coupled to mouth cover 110. PSC device100 can verify, at a minimum, the genuineness of both the user and thee-liquid, by authentication. In embodiments in which PSC device 100 isused as an inhaler for controlled or prescription medications, PSCdevice 100 also may verify, for example, dosage, frequency of use, timeof use, and physician's prescription information. Data may be encryptedand stored in PSC device 100. In embodiments, if authentication fails,or if the user chooses, PSC device 100 can be temporarily disabled,e.g., reversibly locked. Data may be transferred bidirectionally withPSC device 100, including without limitation, operational data, usagedata, and user demographic data. Data also may be transferred betweenPSC device 100 and an external communication device, such as a typicalsmartphone for example, using Bluetooth or other communicationfunctionality, by using an application on the smartphone (not shown).The data in PSC device 100 can be encrypted to prevent unauthorized useof the data. Preferably PSC device 100 in FIG. 1 is small enough to beheld within the palm of a hand while in use so that it is easily hiddenwhile being used and the user is not embarrassed or sociallystigmatized, but PSC device 100 optionally may be any size.

Turning to FIG. 2 , an exploded view of PSC device 200, obverse side, isillustrated. PSC device 200 can include mouth cover 210, e-liquidcartridge 220 coupled to mouth cover 210, cartridge connector 230coupled to e-liquid cartridge 220, host body 240, air seal 235 betweene-liquid cartridge and host body 240, work indicator light 245, hostbattery compartment 250, battery 260, motherboard 270, negative pressureswitch 280 physically and electrically coupled to motherboard 270, upperhost connector 290 coupled to motherboard 270, and lower host connector295 coupled to motherboard 270.

Mouth cover 210 can be made of a molded rigid or semi-rigid food gradeplastic, such as, without limitation, polypropylene (PP) or PCTG(Poly-Cyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate Glycol). PCTG is afood-grade thermoplastic glycol-modified terephthalate copolyestercreating rigid or semi-rigid structures. PCTG has anti-corrosion,anti-leach properties, is recyclable and biodegradable, and does notemit the toxin bisphenol A (BPA). PCTG offers toughness, impactstrength, and clarity. PP may be the safest of all plastics, and is arobust plastic that is heat resistant. Because of its high heattolerance, PP is unlikely to leach even when exposed to warm or hotwater and is approved for use with food and beverage storage E-liquidcartridge 220 also can be made of, without limitation, PCTG. Cartridgeconnector 230 can be a USB type-C (USB-C) male connector, which can forman electromechanical connection with a corresponding female USB-Cconnector (not shown) in host body 240, can facilitate an exchange ofdata between e-liquid cartridge 220 and host body 240, and can provideelectrical power to e-liquid cartridge 220. The mated USB-C connectoralso provides mechanical mating and stability with the USB-C junction.

Host body 240 can be a shell, made of sturdy material, such as plastic,metal, or a composite material. In embodiments, body 240 can be CNCaluminum. Body 240 can be formed to provide battery compartment 250 andto receive motherboard 270. Battery compartment 250 can hold in placebattery 260, which can be a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with anominal voltage of about 3.7V and an energy capacity of about 550 mAh. Abattery of another type and electrical characteristics also may be used,including battery 260, which may be rechargeable, replaceable, or both.Attached to battery compartment 250 can be motherboard 270. Motherboard270 can hold operational components and connectors for PSC device 200,for example, negative pressure switch 280, upper body connector 290, andlower body connector 295. Negative pressure switch 280 can be an airflowsensor, which actuates heating in cartridge 220 when the negativepressure associated with a user's inhalation is reduced to a presetvalue. Upper body connector 290 can provide a secure mechanicalreceptacle for cartridge connector 230, as well as provide data exchangeand electrical power between e-liquid cartridge 220 and motherboard 270.In embodiments, upper body connector 290 can be physically compatiblewith e-liquid cartridge connector 230 and may be a USB-C femaleconnector. In use, the physical connection between connector 230 andmating connector 290 can positively and securely hold cartridge 220 inbody 240. In addition, motherboard 270 may be electrically coupled tolower body connector 295. Lower body connector 295 may be a USB-C femaleconnector for providing a streamlined physical appearance, whileallowing communications with an external device, although a USB-C maleconnector also may be used. In general, data and electrical connectionsmay exist between e-liquid cartridge 220 and lower body connector 295.Motherboard 270 may contain several operational circuits (not shown),which may perform specific functions to facilitate operation of PSCdevice 200, for example, without limitation, power adjustment, reversepolarity protection, earth leakage protection, intelligent powermanagement, Bluetooth communication, e-liquid cartridge intelligent chipmanagement, timing, temperature management, resistance adjustment,preheating, overheat prevention, touch detection, and PSC electroniclock. Motherboard 270 may be composed of a single layer or multiplelayers or comprise multiple stacked boards. Electrically coupled tomotherboard 270 may be work indicator light 245, a LED which provides aphysical indication of the operational state of PSC device 200, forexample, charge state and power status (on/off).

In FIG. 3 , an exploded view of e-liquid cartridge 300 is shown.E-liquid cartridge 300 can be functionally like e-liquid cartridge 220in FIG. 2 . Cartridge 300 can include mouth cover 305, vapor passage 310disposed through mouth cover 305, cartridge sealing cover 315, e-liquidreservoir 320, vapor tube 325, heating element 330 which can be receivedby a distal portion of vapor tube 325, atomization chamber bracket 335configured to keep vapor tube 325 physically stable, heating wireinsulation 340, USB-C bracket cover 350, USB-C male connector 360, USB-Csupport 370, and EEPROM 375. EEPROM 375 can be a serial EEPROM.

Mouth cover 305 can be formed with vapor passage 310 therethrough, whichallows vapor generated through the operation of heating element 330 tobe received by an inhaling user. To prevent leakage of e-liquid from thetop of e-liquid reservoir, cartridge sealing cover 315 can be securelyfastened to the proximal end of reservoir 320. To allow for compactdesign, flue or vapor tube 325 can pass through reservoir 320 and becoupled to vapor passage 310 of mouth cover 305. At the distal end ofvapor tube 325 can be an enlarged portion 380, which can be configuredto receive heating element 330. As heating element 330 operates,e-liquid (not shown) from e-liquid reservoir 320 is vaporized andtravels through vapor tube 325 to vapor passage 310. In embodiments,heating element 330 can be a hybrid ceramic heating element in which aceramic support may be wrapped by Type 316 stainless steel.

Furthermore, heating element 330 may be a hybrid heating element, whichcan have organic cotton disposed within the coils of heating element330. Atomization chamber bracket 335 can stabilize vapor tube 325 andheating element 330 when assembled. To mitigate the effects of heatingon structures distal to atomization chamber 335, heating wire insulation340 can be provided. In embodiments, insulation 340 can be a silica gel.Bracket cover 350 encloses atomization chamber bracket 335 to preventleakage of e-liquid (not shown). Physically and electrically coupled toatomization chamber bracket 335 can be USB-C male connector 360. USB-Cmale connector 360 can be used to secure e-liquid cartridge 300 into aUSB-C female connector in PSC device host body, as is depicted in FIG. 2. USB-C support 370 can provide mechanical stability to USB-C maleconnector 360 in e-liquid cartridge 300. Encrypted EEPROM data-basedanti-counterfeiting technology, or a unique serial number, can beprovided on a small PCB 375, or elsewhere, to virtually eliminate riskof counterfeiting via, for example, 128-bit encryption/decryptiontechnology using the Advance Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography orother encryption technology.

EEPROM 375 can be used to store data regarding, for example, thecharacteristics of the cartridge, the content of the cartridge, smokingroutines of the user, etc. In particular, a non-limiting list of datastored in EEPROM can include: cartridge content; cartridge brand; wherecartridge is made; brand flavor; content volume; maximum number of dragsor puffs; main ingredient; co-ingredients (up to) 10; solvent used (upto 3 types); product batch number; content viscosity; whether preheatingis needed; time delay for preheat; and heating coil type. Cartridgecontent indicates what the cartridge contains, including, for example,nicotine mixture, a CDB solution, a THC tincture, a cannabis wax, or apreselected medication. Cannabis wax is a form of hash oil concentratecreated when a solvent is washed over marijuana plant material.

Cartridge brand indicates which brand of cartridge is being used, whichitself provides information about the cartridge, its contents, and thecontext in which it is used. It can be important to know where thecartridge is made, for example, California or Colorado, etc., forquality control, for supply chain accountability, and for recallpurposes. Brand flavor can be useful for identifying ingredients of aparticular branded cartridge. Content volume describes how much contentis in the cartridge. Typical values may be between about 0.5 ml to about10 ml maximum volume. In view of the identified cartridge volume, acorresponding maximum number of drags is defined. When the maximumnumber of drags is reached, the cartridge locks and can no longer beused. In an embodiment, the cartridge is locked between about 350-800drags, with a typical 1000 drag maximum. In an alternative embodiment,the total time length for vaporization may be used. In this instance,the total time of vaporization before the cartridge locks may be betweenabout 150 seconds to about 2,000 seconds. This feature prevents thecartridge from being refilled, for example, with harmful ingredients,and resold on the black market, and removes the economic benefit ofillicit or counterfeit trade. This feature also can be useful insituations in which the content is a controlled (e.g., THC) orpotentially hazardous (e.g., nicotine) substance.

It is useful to know the main ingredient of the cartridge content, aswell as co-ingredients of the content. Identified can be the ingredientor co-ingredient, its respective volume in milliliters, and the ratio ofthe co-ingredient mixture. In an embodiment, up to 10 co-ingredients canbe identified, measured in milligrams. Up to 3 solvent types also can bestored. A solvent can be used for oily or waxy substances such as, THCand CBD ingredients. Product batch number identifies the particularbatch of the product stored in the cartridge which, when accompanied bycartridge content and brand identification can specifically identify theproduction information of the cartridge. Batch number may be stored in a32-byte value, producing roughly about 10e+77 unique batch numbervalues. Content viscosity may be stored as a percentage of a knownvalue, for example, between about 0% to about 100%. Content viscositycan be useful to know, for example, for gauging and setting heating andpreheating parameters. To that end, it is important to know whetherpreheating is desired for the content, and if so, the selected timedelay and target preheat temperature and resistance values. In order toproperly set the parameters needed for heating and preheating, it isnecessary to know what type of heating coil is being used, for example,platinum, 316 stainless steel, nickel coated iron, etc. In thecartridge, behavioral data may be stored in the EEPROM, for example,each day may be separated into six (6), four (4) hour intervals, formapping user behavior of drags and length of intake in each timeinterval. To accomplish this, the total number of drags in a predefinedperiod are counted, and the total number of seconds of inhalation (in0.1 s increments) per drag on the cartridge are measured. The datastored maps user behavior of drags and length of intake in each timeinterval.

Selected personal and usage data can be stored on the cartridge.Personal data can include, for example, user name, smoking history, anduser age. The most recent 6 intervals (one day) can be stored on thecartridge. Each day for a total of 180 intervals (30 days) may betransferred to and stored on a memory device in the device body. Inturn, this data can be transferred to and stored on a cloud. Usage dataalso may be collected and stored on the cloud, such as the number ofdrags per cartridge use, the average time length for drags, total numberof drags, and the time interval for the drags. Transfer from cartridgeto body may be accomplished by a USB-C connection between device andbody, or by a short range wireless connection. Transfer from body tocloud may be accomplished by coupling a smartphone to the device bodyand transmitting the data from the body to the cloud via the smartphone.Alternatively, the body may contain a cellular or long range radiotherein, which may use 4G, 5G, or 6G wireless capability to connectdirectly between body and the cloud. Data stored in the cloud which canbe shared with a PSC device may include cartridge activation status,cartridge disable command, when set or disable only by batch at dailymaximum count, and cartridge daily maximum setting. These three datacurrently are determined per batch of cartridges, but not for a singlecartridge.

Data sampling can be initiated by the microphone, which can be anegative pressure sensor. For example, when a drag is initiated, anegative pressure is sensed by the microphone. When the microphone isactivated continuously for more than 500 milliseconds, the count of thenumber of drags can be incremented by one and total time for drag can beincremented by the length of the drag. This data can be written intofirmware storage, as well as cartridge memory. Moreover, the number ofseconds that the microphone is activated can be measured in 0.1 secondintervals. Then, the total number of seconds of activation can berecorded and written in firmware storage as an updated total number ofseconds, and also writes this data into cartridge memory. The datarecord can be separated by time slots of 6 intervals of 4 hours. Eachinterval may have an updated total number of drags, and total amount oftime in 0.1 seconds resolution. A cartridge only may have the record ofthe most recent 6 intervals with the others being recorded in the devicebody. PSC device can record up to 180 time intervals of data, includingthe total time of drags counted and the time for each drag. Data can bestored when a cartridge is connected, and whenever a user interacts withthe PSC device. In an embodiment, data can be transferred between thecartridge EEPROM memory and the body using the IIC (I2C) protocol.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 provide illustrations of the assembly of the PSCdevice 400, by a user. E-liquid cartridge 410 can be attached to body420 by merely inserting e-liquid cartridge 410 into cavity 430 of body420, and firmly seating the USB-C male connector 440 disposed in thedistal part of the e-liquid cartridge into a corresponding USB-C femaleconnector 450 disposed in body 420. The USB-C connection is generallyphysically secure so that e-liquid cartridge 410 remains seated in body420 until removed by a user. In FIG. 5 , upper body female USB-Cconnector is shown generally at the base of cavity 430 in body shell420. To use a PSC device, one inserts male USB connector 440 of e-liquidcartridge 410 into upper body female USB-C connector. In FIG. 6 , across-section of PSC device 400 provides an enlarged portion 600, whichillustrates the physical connection of USB-C male connector 610 to upperbody USB-C female connector 620. Although USB-C connector technology canbe employed to communicate between e-liquid cartridge 410 and body 420,other connector technologies may be used, such as, without limitation,USB-A, USB-B, USB-mini B, and USB-micro B connectors; at least 5spring-loaded connectors (pogo pins); Display port and mini-Display Portconnectors; a Lightning connector; an optical connector; a Firewireconnector; and modular jack connectors. Corresponding electricalprotocols are USB 2.x, USB 3.x and USB 4, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3,and Lightning protocols. In some embodiments, in place of wiredconnectors, communication between e-liquid cartridge 410 and body 420can be effected by a short-range wireless protocol including, withoutlimitation, Near-Field Communication (NFC); High Frequency RFID (HFRFID); Bluetooth®, particularly Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE); 6LoWPAN;Thread protocol; Ultrawide bandwidth (UWB); WiGig™ (i.e., IEEE Std.802.11ad); or other short-range low power wireless protocol. One ofordinary skill in the art would know which electrical protocol to pairwith which connector technology.

In embodiments, host body 700 can be composed of internal assembly 710,which can be inserted and secured into body shell 760. Internal assembly710 includes, inter alia, battery compartment 720, rechargeable battery730, and motherboard 740, which is coupled to Bluetooth® radio module750. IEEE 802.15.1 (or Bluetooth®) radio module 750 may be replaced by aradio module employing, without limitation, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE);Z-Wave; 6LoWPAN; Thread Protocol; Near-Field Communication (NFC) and HFRFID; IEEE Std. 802.15.4 (ZigBee®); IEEE Std. 802.15.6 (wireless bodyarea network—WBAN) protocols; UWB; or WiGig™ (e.g., IEEE Std. 802.11ad),although other short-range communications protocols may be used.

FIG. 8 is a cut-away of PSC device 800, which further illustrates theinternal structure of PSC device 800. Shown are e-liquid cartridge 810,battery 820, circuit board assembly 830 and seal ring 840. Seal ring 840can be used to reduce air flow diminishment by providing a tight sealaround e-liquid cartridge 810 and circuit board assembly 830. Airflowthrough PSC device 800 also is illustrated. When a user inhales on PSCdevice 800, airflow 850 enters through side air inlet 855 on the side ofPSC device 800. Airflow 860 travels down through cartridge 810 to airinlet 865 of the bottom of the atomization bin, and then to negativepressure switch 875, which functionally may be a microphone. By sensingthe air pressure change from user inhalation through negative pressureswitch 875 disposed on the main PCB board, PSC device 800 is actuated.Airflow returns air to e-liquid cartridge 810, where a selected amountof e-liquid is vaporized and passed through vapor outlet 880. After PSCdevice 800 is actuated, data in e-liquid cartridge 810 will be readthrough PC board 870, and the control functions, for example, heating,will be performed according to e-liquid cartridge data (not shown). Auser app (i.e., mobile phone software) corresponding to PSC device 800can be employed to display the usage status, and which also can beuploaded to the user's mobile phone software for display via a link withthe PSC device 800 once radio communication module 835 is connected andoperating. Radio communication module 835 may be, but is not limited to,a Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) radio communication module, although radiocommunication modules for other types of short-range communicationsprotocols may be used, including, without limitation, Near-FieldCommunication (NFC); High Frequency RFID (HF RFID); “Classic”Bluetooth®; 6LoWPAN; Thread protocol; Ultrawide bandwidth (UWB); orWiGig™ (i.e., IEEE Std. 802.11ad).

FIG. 9A depicts a longitudinal section of the rear of PSC device 900further describing air flow through PSC device 900. PSC device 900 caninclude PSC body 915 and PSC e-liquid cartridge 955. In turn, e-liquidcartridge 955 includes e-liquid reservoir 955, e-liquid storage bin 925,and operational compartment 920. Upon user inhalation on vapor outlet945, air inlet 905 receives incoming airflow 910 and directs it to anegative pressure sensor (not shown), which can be functionally likenegative pressure sensor 875 in FIG. 8 . Upon sensing a preset pressure,the negative pressure sensor actuates the atomization components tocause vapor formation in atomization chamber 935. The formed vapor risesup flue 940 until the vapor exits vapor outlet 945 to the user. FIG. 9Bis a portion of PSC device, including e-liquid storage bin 925. Attimes, vaporized e-liquid in e-liquid reservoir 955 may condense,leading to leakage from e-liquid reservoir 925. This leakage maypenetrate operational compartment 920, which may damage elementstherein. E-liquid storage bin 925 can be implemented beneath e-liquidreservoir 955 to mitigate such leakage by collecting the condensate ine-liquid storage bin inlet 960.

Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11 , radio module 1025, which may be aBluetooth® radio module, can be used to communicate between the user,typically using a multifunction mobile “smart” phone 1125, and PSCdevice 1100. Radio module 1025 can use, for example, Bluetooth®Low-Energy (BLE) protocol transmitter (not shown) using Bluetooth LowEnergy protocol. BLE can maintain a similar communication range asstandard Bluetooth radio or Bluetooth “Classic,” e.g., ≥about 100 m.Power savings can be significant with BLE using 1% to 50% less powerthan Bluetooth Classic. In present embodiments, an ATB1103 Bluetooth®radio module 1025 is provided, although other modules with similarfunctionality may be used. ATB1103 is a product of Actions Technology,Shenzhen, CN. The ATB1103 is an ultra-low power, fully integrated,single-chip Bluetooth Low Energy microcontroller. It features alow-power physical layer, a link layer with a security engine, a hostcontroller interface, and an ARM Cortex-M0 MCU to handle the upper layerprotocol. The Bluetooth® Low Energy protocol is well-known to one ofordinary skill of the communications arts. The ATB110X family is anultra-low power, fully integrated, single-chip Bluetooth Low Energysolution. It features a low-power physical layer, a link layer with asecurity engine, a host controller interface and an ARM Cortex-M0 MCU tohandle the upper layer protocol. ATB1103 supports the latest BluetoothV4.2 version with LE packet length extension feature. Users canimplement the application software on the embedded Cortex M0. Of course,other Bluetooth chipsets may be used to facilitate communication. Inalternative embodiments, radio module 1025 can be without limitation, anNFC module, an RFID module, an UWB module, a 6LoWPAN module, a Threadprotocol module, a WiGig™ module, or a module for another short-rangelow power wireless protocol.

It is desirable to prevent minors or unauthorized parties from using PSCdevice 1100. A user (not shown) can employ identification andauthentication, in order to receive authorization to use PSC device1100. Initially, the user registers by creating an account on-linethrough an external communication device such as, without limitation, PCor smartphone 1125, or other internet enabled device. During theregistration process, the user supplies a unique ID (e.g., uniqueusername, e-mail address, or 10-digit phone number) and a correspondingauthenticating password. This information can be transmitted to hostserver 1175 during identification and activation, along with otherinformation which may include the serial number of the PSC device 1100or serial numbers/codes associated with e-cartridges 1120 that are inthe possession of the user. Thus, the registered user and his or here-cartridges 1120 will be associated with the PSC device 1100 and no oneelse will be able to use the PSC device 1100 or cartridges 1120. In thisway, host activation ID authentication can effectively prevent the useof PSC device 1100 by minors. In addition, to ensure that the PSC device1100 confirms the identity and age of the user, a photo identificationmay be required, which may be a government photo identification,including birthdate, among other things. This ID may be sent to aserver. Acceptable forms of government photo identification include, forexample, passports, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards, anddrivers' licenses, Military ID, Permanent Resident Visa/Green Card,other Government-issued ID, etc. Government-issued ID is unlikely to becounterfeited. Multi-factor authentication also may be used.Multi-factor authentication is an authentication technique that requiresusers to provide multiple forms of identification when logging in. EachPSC device 1100 can have stored within it a unique, unalterable 128-bitidentifier, serial number, or both, that can be associated with thecredentials provided by a particular user, including username andpassword. The user may then be authenticated locally to the mobiledevice by entering a PSC-related serial number, passcode or PIN, or byusing mobile device-level biometrics to be able to use the storedcredentials. An authorized user can be issued digital credentials thatare stored securely on mobile device 1125. Mobile devices 1125 includewithout limitation, smart mobile phones, tablets, and smart watches.Once an account has been created and the credentials of the user havebeen approved, the user can be authorized to operate PSC device 1100. Ifa user is leaving the vicinity of their PSC device 1100, they can lockthe device by tapping on the base of PSC device 1100, on the lower bodyUSB-C connector. Alternately, PSC device 1100 may be programmed toaffect a lock-out, for example, if the user has been away from their PSCdevice 1100 and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed without use,or if a user has made a predetermined number of failed authenticationattempts. Mobile device 1125, properly authenticated, may be used toobserve or change data stored in the EEPROM of device 1100, except forthe unalterable, universally unique ID (UUID) also stored in the EEPROM.In addition, mobile device 1125 also may be associated with a serialnumber, which also may be used for multi-factor authentication.

Through its registration with server 1175, PSC device 1100, isauthorized only for a particular user. This may be particularly usefulwhen the PSC dispenses prescription drugs. It may be used only afteractivation from user's smartphone 1125 or other smart device, or when“unlocked” by a successful series of taps on the lower body connector.Alternatively, a particular group of users may be authorized. Likewisethe e-liquid cartridge 1120 also has a unique code or serial number, andmay be authorized for use only with the particular PSC device 1100,through registration after purchasing, since smartphone 1125 or othersmart device associated with PSC device 1100 will know what e-liquidcartridges 1120 are valid for PSC device 1100 through registration.Thus, PSC device 1100 alone or through communication with smartphone1125 or other smart device, will only work with predetermined,registered e-liquid cartridges 1120. This prevents third partycounterfeit or contraband e-liquid cartridges 1120 from working in PSCdevice 1100, since the third parties do not know the encryptionalgorithms used. PSC device 1100 security can prevent users fromswapping e-liquid cartridges 1120 to others that may not be authorized(such as minors) or that may have physical issues with the e-liquidcartridges in question.

Moreover, circuit board 375 and motherboard 270 may contain sensors,memory, and variable circuits, connected to smartphone 1125 or othersmart device wirelessly (such as Bluetooth or cellular protocols) or byother means. Therefore, the user, through smartphone 1125 app, maycontrol the wattage and time of atomization with the heating elements,thus controlling the amount of chemicals inhaled. Statistics such asoverall usage, chemicals inhaled, trends (increasing or decreasing use)and other metrics may be shown on the smart phone or other smart device.E-liquid cartridge 1120 may also contain information indicating itsmanufacturer, the type of e-liquid it contains, and its current level,as well as other statistics, such as how often it has been used. Suchsensor readings, statistics and other data may be uploaded to the cloud1150 via connected smartphone 1125 or other smart device. Should a PSCdevice 1100 become lost or stolen, the user simply logs into theiraccount and reports the device missing to the host server 1175. The nexttime an attempt is made to register device 1100 with host sever 1175, itmay be deactivated and become non-functional. Thus, though registrationof either or both the e-liquid cartridge 1120 and device 1100 body withcentral host server 1175, unauthorized use of e-cartridges 1120 anddevices 1100 can be prevented. This will greatly improve the safety ofdevices 1100 and reduce knock-off, and potentially harmful, third partycartridges 1120.

Turning to FIG. 12 , a locking mechanism for a PSC device is shown. Onthe PSC device base 1200, there can be a USB-C female connection 1225that can assist with power control, data collection, and data exchange.In addition, connection 1225 can be coupled to a touch-sensitive circuit(FIG. 15 , reference 1560) that, when touched a predetermined number oftouches, shuts off and locks the corresponding PSC device. Thisconvenience assists with preventing unauthorized operation of a PSCdevice by a user other than the owner of the PSC device. In embodiments,a user may lock their PSC device 1200 by applying, for example, five (5)touches to the edge of USB-C female contact 1225. USB-C female contact1225 can be coupled, for example, to a capacitive touch-sensitivecircuit (1560), which can bar or permit operation of PSC device 1200when actuated. The touch-sensitive circuit (1560) can be adjusted torequire fewer or more touches to activate and disable the lock.

In certain embodiments, such as for ODM distribution, abusiness-to-business buyer, which typically is not an end user, willpre-fill an e-liquid cartridge with e-liquid, seal the cartridges, andre-sell them as the buyer's brand. A suitable e-liquid may be, withoutlimitation, nicotine, CBD oil, THC oil, or an oral respiratory inhalant,such as, without limitation, albuterol or a corticosteroid. Similarly,PSC device can be sold as an independent carrier brand to other brandowners as a vaporizer and may be sold in a retail website, retail chain,online or in physical stores. E-liquid cartridge can be sold toauthorized brands as ODM product. However, each e-liquid cartridge canbe assigned an authorized ID code, which may be a unique identification(UID) or a universally unique identification (UUID) in advance fordifferent customers. In embodiments, a unique 128-bit number can beassigned to respective e-liquid cartridge. Each e-liquid cartridge mayrequire an authorized ID code to work with the particular PSC device.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of complete PSC device 1300. Mouth cover 1305can cover the proximal end 1310 of PSC device 1300 and can bemechanically coupled to flue 1315. Flue 1315 can be joined toatomization chamber 1320, in which e-liquid is absorbed by organiccotton 1325 into atomization chamber 1320. The wetted organic cotton canbe surrounded by a coil-shaped hybrid ceramic heating coil 1395, and byheating to a preset temperature, e-liquid is atomized. PSC device 1300can include body shell 1330 in which e-liquid cartridge 1310 and batterycompartment 1335 are disposed. Battery 1340, which may be a 3.7V, 550mAh rechargeable battery, provides energy for device management,security, data management, data transfer, communication, e-liquidatomization, and status lighting, among others. In this configuration,USB-C male connector 1345 is physically and communicatingly coupled withUSB-C female connector 1355, and female connector 1360 is electricallyand communicatingly coupled to USB-C female connector 1355. Air flowsinto PSC device 1300 through side inlet 1390 and flows out through mouthcover outlet 1305, forming circuit through air pressure sensor 1365,i.e., negative pressure transducer 1365.

By operation of air pressure sensor 1365, e-liquid atomization occurs inchamber 1320, and the selected vapor enters mouth cover 1305. Alsodisposed in host body shell 1330 can be main PCB 1365 and Bluetooth® PCB1370. Main PCB 1370 contains functional elements to enhance theoperation of PSC device 1300 including, without limitation, atomization,measuring of PSC temperature data, analyzing and controllingtemperature, identification of e-liquid boiling points, power andcharging management, and touch detection. Bluetooth® PCB chip 1375supports and performs Bluetooth® functions to permit and facilitateBluetooth®-based communications. A suitable Bluetooth® function chip maybe an ATB1103 BLE SOC chip.

Alert and status indicator light 1380 can be provided to inform the useras to the energy level, power status, and device state of PSC device1300. EEPROM 1385 is disposed in e-liquid cartridge 1310 andcommunicates with a microcontroller unit (MCU)—not shown—on the main PCBoard 1370 to provide substantially constant power output.

Turning to FIG. 14 , an illustration of e-liquid cartridge 1400 isshown. Cartridge 1400 can include cartridge body 1465, which can bedivided into three chambers: e-liquid reservoir 1470, e-liquid waste bin1475, and operational compartment 1480. E-liquid reservoir 1470 can beformed to receive a preselected volume of e-liquid, for example, 1.0 ml.E-liquid waste bin 1475 is disposed to catch leakage from reservoir1470, thereby preventing it from entering operational compartment 1480or from leaking out to the user. The three chambers can be kept separatefrom each other by upper seal 1425 and lower seal 1435. However, ifeither seal 1425, 1435 leaks, e-liquid waste bin 1475 is disposed tocatch a portion of the e-liquid and keep it from entering operationalcompartment 1480. Disposed within e-liquid reservoir 1465 can bee-liquid of the user's choice. Disposed between mouth cover 1405 andupper seal 1425 can be flue 1415 and atomization chamber 1420. Duringuse, a user may put their lips on mouth cover 1405 and inhale, whichstarts a heater (not shown) to generate vapor within atomization chamber1420. Upper seal 1425 may be composed of silicone to provide a seal thatdoes not easily degrade with oils. During inhalation, vapor travels upflue 1415, out through mouth opening 1485, and into the user's lungs. Ifleakage does occur in reservoir 1465, the waste e-liquid will tend tocollect in the middle chamber until the waste e-liquid reaches the topof vent 1430, at which time e-liquid may escape through vent 1430 andair hole 1455, which is connected to vent 1430. Air hole 1455 passesthrough operational chamber 1480 and vents to the outside. In this case,e-liquid waste can exit air hole 1455 without entering operationalchamber 1480.

FIG. 15 includes schematic diagrams of operational electronic circuitsthat can be used in a PSC device. For example, microcontroller unit(MCU) 1510 can be a GF90F0320-Single-Chip-8051 Core-ADC Flash Chip MCUfrom Shenzhen Yuanjia Technology Co., Ltd., Guangdong, CN. The GF90F0320is an enhanced 8-bit microcontroller developed in a high-speed,low-power CMOS process with FLASH program memory. It can be providedwith a 128-bit unique chip ID, which can be used with the unique ID inthe PSC EEPROM for encryption of EEPROM data. Rather than employing anEEPROM, other known methods of storing a serial number or authenticationcode may be used.

Synchronous buck circuit 1520 is a switch mode DC to DC electronicconverter in which the output voltage can be transformed to level lessthan the input voltage, and thus, is a voltage step-down device, andwhich can deliver high currents while minimizing power loss. Buckcircuit 1520 can be used to provide a regulated DC voltage to MCU 1510pin 14 from PWM signals from MCU 1510, pins 16-19.

USB-C cartridge interface 1530 such as, for example, upper bodyconnector, which may be USB-C female connector in FIG. 5 , element 450or FIG. 15 , element 1355, and can be used to provide mechanical,electrical, and bidirectional data support. Interface 1530 cancommunicate signals between, for example, MCU 1500 located in FIG. 13 onmotherboard 1370 and EEPROM 1385, Bluetooth module 1375 or, throughlower body USB connector 1360 to the “outside world.” External batterymanagement circuits can be used to charge and monitor Li-Ion battery,such as battery 1340 in FIG. 13 . An example of such a circuit can becharging management circuit 1540 in FIG. 15 , which is a Songlang Micro3A Synchronous Buck Lithium-Ion battery charger for 5V AC adapters fromShenzhen Junengxin Semiconductor Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, CN. Chargingmanagement circuit 1540 is a synchronous rectification buck circuitwhich can include a charge termination circuit, an automatic rechargeand a 4.2V preset charge voltage with an accuracy of ±1%. It integratesanti-backflow protection, output short-circuit protection, chip andbattery temperature protection. When NSTDBY is activated a green lightcan be lit to show that charging is complete; conversely, when NCHRG isactivated, a red light can be lit to show that charging is underway.Charging management circuit 1540 can be electrically coupled to the PSCbattery (1340, FIG. 13 ) and to USB-C charging interface 1550. USB-CCharging Interface 1550 can be provided as an element of lower bodyconnector (USB-C interface 1360, FIG. 13 ).

Electrically coupled to lower body connector (USB-C interface 1360, FIG.13 ) and to charging interface 1550 can be USB-C Touch Detection circuit1560. As indicated above, USB-C Touch Detection circuit 1560 can bephysically and electrically coupled to lower body connector (USB-Cinterface 1360, FIG. 13 ), and be disposed at the base of the PSCdevice. In an exemplary implementation, Touch Detection circuit 1560includes a PT2033C, which is a single channel touch detection chipprovided by PingTeng Technology Co., Ltd., Hunan, CN. The chip has abuilt-in voltage regulator circuit to provide a stable voltage for thetouch sensing circuit, and an internal integrated high-efficiency touchdetection algorithm, so that the chip has a stable touch detectioneffect. In embodiments, the touch detection chip can be coupled to afemale USB-C connector, and it is possible to touch the lower bodyconnector USB-C Interface a preset number of times to actuate the lock.For example, some implementations are configured to operate the lock bytouching the lower body connector five (5) times. Moreover, TouchDetection Circuit 1560 can be coupled to MCU 1510 to allow TouchDetection Circuit 1560 to be turned on and off programmatically by MCU1510. For example, if a PSC has not been used for a predetermined periodor if authentication fails, Touch Detection Circuit 1560 can be turnedoff by MPU 1510 drawing VDD pin 1 (TCV) low. In a present embodiment,using Touch Detection Circuit 1560, five touches to the lower bodyconnector (USB-C female connector exterior rim) may turn on thecorresponding PSC device.

In FIG. 16A, USB-C connector 1600 can be a USB-C male connector, such asconnector 1460, in FIG. 14 . Connector 1600 can be used to convey dataand commands to and from EEPROM 1650 (FIG. 16B). Connector 1600 can belike e-liquid cartridge connector seated securely within a USB-Cconnector, such as USB-C female connector 1355 in FIG. 13 . Such aconnection affirmatively secures cartridge to body, while providing apassage for data and power.

USB-C is an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data andpower on a single cable. USB-C allows for a secure connection betweenthe cartridge and the host body. In addition, a USB-C connector,typically female, may be used as an electronic lock for the host body.The USB-C connector can bidirectionally transfer power between host bodyprinted circuit board (motherboard) and e-liquid cartridge printedcircuit board. USB-C connectors are not the only type of physicalconnector that can be used. Although USB-C connector technology isemployed herein, also suitable may be micro-USB, mini-USB, USB-A, USB-B,Lightning (Apple), DisplayPort, PCI-Express, Thunderbolt (Intel), atleast 5 spring-loaded connectors (pogo pins), a Firewire (IEEE 1394)connector, and a modular jack connector (e.g., RJ11, RJ45, T568), amongother possible wired connectors. A USB-C connector is capable ofsupporting popular high-bandwidth protocols such as, without limitation,USB 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x, Thunderbolt 3, Lightning, and DisplayPortprotocols.

In some embodiments, a short-range wireless protocol may be used tocommunicate data between cartridge 410 and body 420 including, withoutlimitation, Bluetooth®; Near-Field Communication (NFC); High FrequencyRFID (HF RFID); Ultrawide bandwidth (UWB); or other short-rangelow-power wireless communication protocol. Such a wireless communicationlink may be used to obviate a physical connection between cartridge 410and body 420.

As illustrated in FIG. 16B, EEPROM 1650 is provided. EEPROM 1650 can bea serial, non-volatile storage device having 2 Kilobits (e.g., 256×8) ofprogrammable memory elements. A Flash memory device also may be used.EEPROM 1650 can be used to prevent unauthorized use of a PSC device, togather information about the PSC device, e-liquid use and preferences,and user data, and to provide a report of monitored PSC variables storedin EEPROM 1650. The programmable memory elements may be used to storeoperational data pertaining to operation and use of the PSC device, andthe identity and demographics of the user. In embodiments, EEPROM 1650may have an unalterable, pre-programmed unique ID, which may be auniversally unique ID (UUID), e.g., a 128-bit identifier, stored thereinand associated with an authorized user. EEPROM 1650 supports userauthentication and avoids unauthorized use of a PSC device, e.g., by aminor or by anyone not able to verify their identity. If an unauthorizeduser attempts to use a PSC device, authentication fails, and the PSCdevice can be reversibly locked, prohibiting unauthorized use. A lockedPSC may be unlocked by an authorized user. Of course, other well-knownencryption/decryption or serial number reading techniques may be used aswell,

In embodiments, EEPROM 1650 can include therein a preprogrammed,globally unique, unalterable 128-bit sequence that can identifyessentially every e-liquid cartridge in existence (128-bit ID providesapproximately 3.4×10e+38 identifiers). EEPROM 1650 can be used inconjunction with a microcontroller unit (MCU) (1510, FIG. 15 ), whichmay have an unalterable, globally unique preprogrammed 128-bit sequencetherein to perform encryption and decryption of data stored in EEPROM1650. An example of an EEPROM capable of providing a unique ID isFM24C16D 2-wire EEPROM with Unique ID and Security Sector. The FM24C16Dcan be provided by Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co., Ltd. ofShanghai, CN. The FM24C16D is internally organized with 128 pages of 16bytes (128 bits) each and offers 16-byte Security Sectors which can bewritten and later permanently locked in READ ONLY mode. These registersmay be used to store security and other important information separatelyfrom the main memory array. This EEPROM uses a separate memory blockcontaining a factory preprogrammed, unalterable 128-bit Unique ID. Manyvariations of EEPROM encryption can be performed, for example, AdvancedEncryption Standard (AES) algorithm, which may be an AES dynamictransform encryption algorithm. Other suitable encryption/decryptionalgorithms may be used to achieve the desired ends. As an example,encrypted data resides in EEPROM and is read. Two keys are used: thedynamic EEPROM UUID key and the static MCU key. The respective keys canbe combined to form a third key. AES encryption/decryption can beperformed using the third key to reduce the likelihood that the datawill be compromised. The third key is used by the MCU (microcontrollerunit) to decrypt encrypted data, thereby converting the encrypted datainto plaintext data. Conversely, as plaintext is received, the dynamicEEPROM UUID key and the “secret” static MCU key are retrieved andcombined to form a third key. Note that the data encrypted onto EEPROMcan only be decrypted by one particular MCU, which is the one embeddedin the corresponding PSC device. Table 1 illustrates theencryption/decryption algorithm, which can be used with the presentembodiments. The AES algorithm can be used for encrypting and decryptingthe data using “KEY3,” i.e., a combination of KEY1 and KEY2. Table 1illustrates the encryption/decryption algorithm, which can be used withthe present embodiments.

TABLE 1 KEYS KEY1 0x12456789 EEPROM UUID Dynamic Key KEY2 0x3ab9cdef MCUUID Static Key KEY3 0x4cff3578 KEY1 + KEY2 ENCRYPTION DATA 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7 Original data PROCESS ENCRYPT: 0x4cff3578 (AES: KEY3) Encryptionalgorithm DATA c, d, 3, f, 4, 8, b Encrypted data DECRYPTION DATA c, d,3, f, 4, 8, b Encrypted data PROCESS DECRYPT: 0x4cff3578 (AES: KEY3)⁻¹Decryption algorithm DATA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Original data The notation(AES - KEY3)⁻¹ indicates the AES decryption algorithm, as used herein,with the notation representing an “inverse” type of AES operation.

Although many variations of EEPROM encryption can be performed, thepresent embodiments employ an advanced dynamic transform encryptionalgorithm. As an example, encrypted data resides in EEPROM and is read.Two keys are used: the dynamic EEPROM UUID key and the “secret” staticMCU key. The respective keys are combined to form a third key. AESencryption/decryption can be performed using the third key to reduce thelikelihood that the data will be compromised. The third key also may beused by the MCU to decrypt encrypted data, thereby converting theencrypted data into plaintext data. Conversely, as plaintext isreceived, the dynamic EEPROM UUID key and the “secret” static MCU keyare retrieved and combined to form a third key. Note that the dataencrypted onto EEPROM can only be decrypted by one particular MCU, whichis embedded in a corresponding PSC device.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of an ATB1103 Bluetooth Low Energy System ona Chip (BLE SOC) radio 1700. BLE SOC radio 1700 can be exemplary of anintegrated device which communicates between PSC device 1100 and smartphone 1125 via a short-range, low power, wireless protocol, hereBluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) protocol. However, BLE SOC radio 1700 alsomay be disposed, in addition, in cartridge 410 and in body 420 such thata wireless data connection, e.g., a BLE protocol connection, is providedbetween cartridge 410 and body 420 in lieu of a wired protocol. In suchembodiments, cartridge 410 and body 420 may be coupled by way of magnetsdisposed proximately in each element 410, 420.

The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate anunderstanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and tofurther enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments ofthe invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which isdefined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, itis noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings, although not every figure may repeateach feature that has been shown in another figure in order to notobscure certain features or overwhelm the figure with repetitiveindicia. It is understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific methodology, devices, apparatuses, materials, applications,etc., described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describingembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal smoking cessation (PSC) device,comprising: an e-liquid cartridge; an EEPROM within the e-liquidcartridge; and a host body communicatingly coupled to the EEPROM.
 2. ThePSC device of claim 1, comprising: data encryption EEPROM, wherein datato the EEPROM is encrypted therein and data from the EEPROM isdecrypted.
 3. The PSC device of claim 2, further comprising: anauthenticating EEPROM, wherein a user is authenticated as an authorizeduser.
 4. The PSC device of claim 2, further comprising: a multi-factorauthenticating EEPROM, wherein the user supplies a plurality ofauthenticating factors so that the user is authenticated as anauthorized user.
 5. The PSC device of claim 3, further comprising: atouch-sensitive electronic lock.
 6. The PSC device of claim 3, whereinthe EEPROM within the e-liquid cartridge communicates with the hostbody.
 7. The PSC device of claim 5, wherein the electronic lock isdisposed within the host body.
 8. The PSC device of claim 1, wherein thee-liquid cartridge is coupled to the host body with a first preselectedelectromechanical connector.
 9. The PSC device of claim 7, wherein theelectronic lock is coupled with a female USB connector and wherein theelectronic lock can be actuated by touching the female USB connector.10. The PSC device of claim 8, further comprising a USB Type Celectromechanical connector mechanically coupling the e-liquid cartridgewith the host body.
 11. The PSC device of claim 10, further comprising aUSB Type C electromechanical connector electrically coupling thee-liquid cartridge with the host body.
 12. The PSC device of claim 6,wherein the host body further comprises a radio transceiver configuredto exchange data with a communication device external to the PSC device.13. The PSC device of claim 11, wherein the host body is configured toreceive a rechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, or arechargeable, replaceable battery.
 14. A Personal Smoking Cessation(PSC) device, comprising: an e-liquid cartridge storing a preselectedfluid to be vaporized and a vaporization element configured to vaporizethe preselected fluid; an EEPROM within the e-liquid cartridge, whereinthe EEPROM has a universally unique identifier (UUID) stored therein,wherein the EEPROM facilitates authentication of a user, the e-liquidcartridge, and the preselected fluid, wherein the EEPROM facilitatesencryption of received data and decryption of transmitted data; and ahost body with a first female USB-C electromechanical connectorcommunicatingly coupled to the EEPROM having a first male USB-Celectromechanical connector, wherein the first male and a first femaleUSB-C electromechanical connectors form positive mechanical andelectrical connections between the EEPROM and the host body, wherein thehost body exchanges data with the EEPROM, wherein the host body includesan electronic lock therein, wherein the electronic lock is operablycoupled to a second female USB-C electromechnical connector, and whereinthe electronic lock reversibly locks the EEPROM.
 15. The PSC device ofclaim 14, further comprising a Bluetooth radio transceiver coupled tothe EEPROM, wherein the Bluetooth radio transceiver communicates databetween the PSC device and a second Bluetooth transceiver disposed in acommunication device.